St. Martin Parish Deacon from the Lafayette Diocese has been placed on administrative leave due to sexual abuse allegation; SNAP Responds

BREAUX BRIDGE (LA)
SNAP - Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests [Chicago IL]

June 23, 2021

Deacon Shawn Jude Gautreaux from St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge, LA, has been put on leave pending an investigation into allegations that he sexually abused a minor. According to the Diocese of Lafayette, the allegation against the Deacon comes from a period of time before his ordination. The Diocese also said that local law enforcement has been informed.

However, it is what the Diocese of Lafayette is not sharing that concerns us. We believe that full transparency requires more information about Deacon Gautreaux. What the accusations are, when he was ordained, what his assignments were and how long he worked at each, including St. Bernard Parish, is vital knowledge for the parish community and the public. Catholic officials should also visit every place where the Deacon was assigned and beg anyone with information or suspicions to notify the police immediately.

We hope the Diocese of Lafayette continues to cooperate with law enforcement. We also encourage anyone who may have information or who may have been abused themselves to contact the police.

CONTACT: Michael McDonnell, Communication Manager (267-261-0578, mmcdonnell@snapnetwork.org  Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director (517-974-9009, zhiner@snapnetwork.org), Russ Hebron, SNAP Leader Louisiana,( 504-330-1067, rchebron1@gmail.com)